Legislative Services

Special Session Underway

Lawmakers returned to Austin on Monday to convene in special session and consider 18 items Gov. Greg Abbott placed on the 30-day agenda.

The Senate Committee on State Affairs met Tuesday to hear public testimony on three of the governor’s designated items:

• Senate Bill 5 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock). Relating to the regulation of certain products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and registrations; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing an administrative penalty.
• SB 11 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola). Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.
• SB 12 by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston). Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

All three bills advanced on 10-1 votes, with the committee’s lone Democrat, Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, casting the dissenting votes. Archived video of the hearing is available here; testimony on SB 12 begins at around the 6:57 mark.

The Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, a joint committee made up of 18 House and Senate members, met Wednesday to hear invited testimony on the July 4 flooding. Archived video of the hearing is available here.

The House and Senate met briefly Thursday before recessing through the weekend.

Comptroller Releases Revenue Estimate for First Called Session

Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock recently estimated that $3.1 billion is available for general-purpose spending through the end of the 2026-27 two-year budget, which begins Sept. 1. Hancock noted that these funds, along with the Economic Stabilization Fund, which is expected to reach its constitutional cap in 2026, are available to fund disaster relief related to the recent Hill Country floods.

Hancock further noted that recent federal budget action authorizes states to receive reimbursement for border security expenditures. For Texas, that cumulative total exceeds $10 billion.

JPCA Elects New Leaders

The Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas (JPCA) held its 81st Annual Education Conference in El Paso last month. Hundreds of JPCA members were warmly welcomed by local elected officials for a week filled with educational panels, engaging discussions, meetings, fellowship and fun.

At the conference’s awards banquet on June 26, Travis County Constable Carlos Lopez was sworn as JPCA President for the 2025-26 year by Immediate Past President and Harris County Justice of the Peace Holly Williamson. Other board members and district directors also took the oath for the new term. Congratulations and best wishes to all on the year ahead.

Legislative Directory Available

The Texas Association of Counties’ 2025-26 Legislative Directory remains available for order. The directory includes contact information for legislative leaders, committees, county official associations and TAC’s Legislative Services team.

Order free your copies here.

Editor’s Note

During the special session, County Issues will return to weekly publication. Look for the next edition on Friday, Aug. 1.

Week in Review is a collaborative column from TAC Legislative Services.